Resilience in online communities of practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian case study

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a case study conducted through digital ethnography and textual analysis methods. The thematic focus concerns the role of online communities of practice as resilience tools in the case of emergency and crisis. The origin of this assumption lies in some reflections developed in view of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially given the varied typology of social responses to this crisis. A fundamental aim in this research is the exploration of the dynamics and spontaneous practices of social support that take place today in digital environments. This study uses the theoretical paradigm of community resilience and its interpretative dimensions, such as proactivity and adaptation. The analysis of the online community Noi Denunceremo - Verità e giustizia per le vittime del COVID-19 (We Will Denounce - Truth and Justice for the Victims of COVID-19) indicates the interdisciplinary relevance of pursuing this avenue of research, especially in view of the findings that identify the role of online communities of practice in promoting inclusive and participatory responses to emergencies and crises.